A PAYROLL specialist at UK top 10 accountancy and business advisory firm Azets swapped his calculator for a cue as he took part in a prestigious European pool tournament.
Jason Green, Payroll Improvement & Support Executive based in the firm’s Gloucester office, represented Wales at the European Eight Ball Pool Championships 2026.
The 43-year-old, who has been with Azets for 10 years, benefited from £500 in sponsorship from the firm to help with costs in attending the tournament in Ayia Napa, Cyprus.
He said: “Although I’m Gloucester born and bred, I qualify for Wales through my grandmother and was delighted to be selected for international honours for the first time.
“The sponsorship from Azets was particularly welcome as all expenses regarding the tournament – flights, hotel, entry fees – have to be self-funded. I am really grateful.”
The Ultimate European Eightball Pool Championships was Jason’s first taste of tournament play abroad as he was part of a six-man Wales D squad playing 13 matches.
Playing under the aegis of the Wales Eightball Federation, he also competed in a 300-strong field in the singles competition.
Martin Inglis, Payroll Operations Director, at Azets in Gloucester, said: “I had no hesitation in recommending Jason for sponsorship and it is wonderful to see a colleague participating in international sport.
“At Azets we are a big family and our ethos is that we support family members when they strive to succeed in activities outside to work environment and fly the flag for the firm on the world stage.”
Jason, who played a little pool as a youngster, took up the sport seriously only eight years ago after being asked to fill in for a team short of players in Gloucester.
That sparked his imagination and he now plays regularly in the Gloucester Pool League and is based at the Top Q Snooker & Pool Club in Gloucester.
“I got involved in the Welsh set up when the country’s federation staged trials for potential players in Gloucester. I went along as the road to internationals with England was more difficult and haven’t looked back.”
Jason, whose sporting claim to fame is once beating Swindon-based England international Darren Begley, has also played pool for Gloucestershire and represented the county’s over-40s at the national finals last month (March).
At the European tournament Jason’s team finished 11th out of 14 in a tough group and in the singles he beat a French opponent 7-3 before crashing out in the next round to a Scotland A player 7-2.
He added: “My individual stats weren’t so bad, not quite reaching my goal of 50% but it was respectable considering it was my first event. It was such an incredible experience that I hope I can make next year’s event in Malta.”
Azets, the UK’s specialist business advisor to SMEs, is located in Epsilon House on Gloucester Business Park.
